Treating Male InfertilityMale factors account for about 40 percent of infertility. Learn about treatments that can help a couple overcome male infertility.By Lila Havens, Staff Writer,myOptumHealthShare What is this?Twitter Digg Facebook More...
EMAILPRINTRSS Related Articles Causes and Factors of Male InfertilityDecision Focus: Choosing In Vitro FertilizationDecision Focus: Treating InfertilityCouples and Infertility: Keeping the Relationship Strong EMAILPRINTRSS
It's easy to describe conception: it occurs when a sperm fertilizes an egg. But the process that brings it about is not so simple. For a man to inseminate his partner and bring about a pregnancy:
Infertility can result if there's a hitch in sperm quality, production or delivery. People often assume that infertility is solely a woman's problem. But male factors account for about 40 percent of infertility cases. Luckily, treatment can help a couple overcome male-factor infertility.
Treatments for male infertility
The right treatment will depend on what is causing infertility. Often surgery or medication are tried first.
Surgery can be done to correct common problems such as a:
Varicocele (a varicose vein in the scrotum)Blockage in the ducts that carry spermStructural defect present since birth or caused by infection or previous surgerySurgery can often be done using tiny incisions that cause only minimal pain and scarring.
Medications may be used to treat some men. For example, hormones can be used to correct a low testosterone level. Antibiotics may help if infertility is caused by an infection.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a simple technique that may be used if a man has a low sperm count or low sperm movement (decreased motility). The man gives a sperm sample, which is washed to remove the semen and maximize the number of sperm. A doctor then threads a catheter through the woman's cervix and injects the sperm into the uterus. This gives the sperm a better chance to reach and fertilize the egg.
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may be the best choice if:
A man prefers not to have surgerySurgery or medication can't reverse infertilityThe woman also has an infertility issueIn vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common ART procedure. Other techniques may be used along with IVF to improve its chance of success.
In vitro fertilization pairs the man's sperm with eggs that have been harvested from the woman's body. The eggs and sperm are mixed in a lab dish. One or more fertilized eggs (or embryos) are then placed in the woman's uterus. If successful, at least one of the embryos will implant in the uterus, and the pregnancy will lead to birth.Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used along with IVF. In ICSI, a technician injects a single sperm into an egg to help ensure fertilization. This may help overcome problems that can reduce fertility, such as low sperm count or poor sperm motility.Sperm extraction is a way to retrieve sperm from the man's body if they can't be obtained through ejaculation. It may be done using a needle or a tiny incision. ICSI is then usually needed for sperm that has been extracted.Donor insemination is an option if the man has poor-quality sperm or has a genetic disease he doesn't want to pass on. Donor sperm may be used for either intrauterine insemination or IVF. Donor material is carefully screened for medical and genetic conditions.What you can do
Some lifestyle choices are known to lower a man's fertility. To give yourself the best shot, try these healthy practices:
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EMAILPRINTRSSUpdated on 06/05/2009SOURCES:Schiff JD, RamÃrez ML, Bar-Chama N. Medical and surgical management of male infertility. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America. 2007;36(2):313-331. Accessed: 05/11/2009 Swerdloff RS, Wang C. The testis and male sexual function. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd edition. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. Accessed: 05/11/2009 American Pregnancy Association. Male infertility. Accessed: 05/11/2009 American Urological Association. Management of male infertility. Accessed: 05/11/2009 Resolve: The National Infertility Association. Preventive medicine and male factor infertility: facts & fiction. Accessed: 05/11/2009 Copyright © 2011 myOptumHealth.
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